Center for Human Genetics’ Autism Study Will Use Illumina Technology

Infinium HumanHap550 BeadChip will help identify genes that contribute to the disease to enhance diagnostics.!--h2>

Duke University’s Center for Human Genetics (CHG) selected the Illumina’s Infinium HumanHap550 BeadChip for an Autism study of over 1,800 individuals and their families. CHG hopes that the identification of the genes that contribute to a complex disease like autism will lead to the development of enhanced diagnostic tools, early detection, and improved health outcomes for patients and their families.

“Multiple genes and the interactions of these genes contribute to diseases like autism, making their identification very difficult,” notes Margaret Pericak-Vance, Ph.D., who along with John R. Gilbert will lead the research. “New technologies and creative thinking are required for the advancement of these projects.”